USCIS to Begin Online Processing of FOIA Requests

USCIS has announced that it will be processing Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests entirely online in the near future, as well as providing the results of those requests online.

Previously, USCIS allowed FOIA requests to be made only via mail, fax, and email and all results were provided on a compact disc by mail. USCIS will now be moving to a system of digital delivery that will take place through several stages.

Individuals who have an immigration court date pending will be able to file a FOIA request by creating an account on myUSCIS and receive the results of the request digitally. Requestors will be able to track the status of their FOIA request and receive notifications once USCIS has uploaded their records into the portal.

Within the next few months, digital delivery will become available for all individuals making a FOIA and Privacy Act request. USCIS is currently testing the system and will provide an update once these services become available to the general public.

The move is expected to streamline FOIA processing, reduce FOIA backlogs, eliminate errors, and speed up delivery of requests.

What is a FOIA request?

The government is required to allow the public to request access to various forms of public information held by federal agencies including immigration records held by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS, like other federal agencies, is required to disclose immigration records and information held by the agency upon receiving a FOIA request.

Who files a FOIA request?

Individuals may request their immigration records for their own personal review. Attorneys also file FOIA requests on behalf of their clients to better understand their client’s immigration history.

We will notify our readers as soon as online processing becomes available for all FOIA requestors.

About Jacob J. Sapochnick

Jacob Sapochnick is recognized as one of the most innovative, up and coming Immigration Lawyers in the nation. He devotes 100% of his practice to Immigration Law, representing Corporations, Hotels, Restaurants, and other organizations, as well as, entrepreneurs, and individuals worldwide. He also provides legal support and representation in family sponsored immigration matters.more >>

Featured Posts

On December 27, 2016 in Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016) the USCIS Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) handed down a groundbreaking decision which has changed the analytical framework for determining eligibility of national interest waivers. This new decision will affect foreign nationals who are pursuing a green card based on employment in […]

Do’s and Don’ts If you are considering applying for a temporary visitor visa to travel to the United States for purposes of leisure or to receive temporary medical treatment, there are several things you should be aware of. First, you should understand what you can do while on a temporary visitor visa and what […]

It is a pleasure for our law office to introduce associate attorney Nadia Galash to our readers Bio: Nadia Galash has been a California licensed attorney since 2009 and has been practicing immigration law since 2011. Nadia Galash specializes in adjustment of status/permanent resident processing; citizenship; deportation and removal proceedings before Immigration Court; law and motion […]